Everrett "Tim" Jean McKown

Everrett Jean “Tim” McKown, 91, of Hamel, MN, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 1, 2020. He was born July 12, 1928, in Springfield, Illinois to Ira and Virginia (Newport) McKown. He was the eldest of four children. The family moved to Minnesota in 1939 to begin farming with a relative; finally moving to their family farm west of Highway 90 in Independence.

Tim attended school at the Armstrong and Maple Plain school, and Mound High School, where he graduated in 1946. After graduation, he worked as a plasterer for Eldon Anderson. From 1952 to 1954, he served during the Korean War Conflict. He served with the military police from 1952 to 1954, in Berlin, Germany where talks concerning World War II occurred. He always said the experience in the Army offered him a new worldview and lessons that matured him.

Upon returning home, Tim continued to work as a plasterer for several employers, including Bob Jacobson. Later, he started his own company, McKown Brothers Drywall with his brother Dave. The two worked in residential and commercial construction, built the Maple Plain Apartments, and grew soybeans at their family farm. They employed their sons, nephews, and others in their businesses cleaning the apartments, picking rocks from the field, sanding, and plastering.

As a young person, Tim attended Maple Plain Community Church where he met Ruth Hedin, and they became friends through the youth group. The two were married at MPCC on August 28, 1954, and went on a honeymoon to Mexico. They lived for awhile in a home in Maple Plain before purchasing land in Hamel, where Tim lived until shortly before his death. Tim and Ruth celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at their home this past August. The two had three children, Keith born in 1957, Kraig in 1961, and Kari in 1964.

Tim had many hobbies throughout his life: flying airplanes with Barney Hamilton, backpacking in the Canadian Rockies with his wife and children, riding pedal bicycles (including around Lake Superior with his two sons, and many trips in Minnesota and Michigan with his wife), fixing stuff, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, gardening, working on the computer, model airplane building, attending to church business as Church Chairman, member of the Trustees and Mission committees, babysitting his cherished grandchildren and attending their many events. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his son Keith in 1981, his parents, his sister Patricia Meyer in 2013, his son Kraig in 2020, brothers-in-law, and many friends. He is survived by his wife Ruth (Hedin) McKown, daughter Kari (Brian) Borgman, daughter-in-law Sandy McKown, grandchildren, Cody McKown, Callie (Kirk) Kenneally, Kira Borgman, Maija Borgman, Anders Borgman, and Risto Borgman, his sister Nancy Nelson, his brother Dave (Pris) McKown, his beloved nieces and nephews and their spouses who were always so kind and supportive, and many friends who lifted his spirits.

Everrett was a solid Chrisitan man, a loyal husband, loving and kind to his friends and family, committed to his work life, and a perfectionist in his many hobbies.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 5, with a visitation one hour prior at Maple Plain Community Church. Interment will follow at Lewis Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Missions Committee of Maple Plain Community Church. Arrangements by David Lee Funeral Home.

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